Phin growls behind me. “I told you not to come today.”
I don’t think I considered the logistics of inviting two people to live with me who have families that might visit until this moment.
“I’m just dropping off a cake as a housewarming gift, and I wanted to meet your mate,” she defends herself, offering me the cake with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to meet you since Phin came home with your mate mark on him.”
I take the cake, shooting a side eye to Phin, whose frown under his beard is pointed directly at his sister. “Thank you. Won’t you please come in?” I offer, stepping out of the way so the burly woman can enter.
She does so, stepping past me and straight into a vigorous hug given to her brother. “It’s so good to see you happ—what the fuck?”
I follow her line of sight to Gael, who’s leaning against the bar, watching what might turn out to be a trainwreck.
“Why the fuck is he here?” she demands, pointing at Gael.
“I live here,” Gael replies as I move around Phin to stand next to Gael, who takes my hand.
Phin catches Felicity around the waist as she takes a threatening step toward Gael. “Don’t do this, Fel.”
“He killed Arden!” she accuses, pointing at Gael.
“He attacked me first. I only wanted permission for Phineas to tell us what he is, and the man overreacted.Hechose a fight to the death.” Gael’s explanation sheds little light on what happened yesterday, but it doesn’t matter what happened, I’ve got his back, and even though she looks like she could probably crush me, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Gael safe.
“We don’t talk about anything with anyone who isn’t one of the clan,” she growls, but Phin’s answering growl is much more impressive, deep, and animalistic.
“Stop, Fel. You are not coming into my home and accusing my—” he pauses, looking between the two of us, “roommate of doing something against the codes of the clan. He defeated Arden in fair combat, and according to the code that makes him the next clan leader.”
Felicity hisses, and I get the impression that my boyfriend isn’t out to his family and that Gael isn’t on the ballot to be the next leader.
Gael steps forward. “I told the witnesses that I never had any intention of becoming the clan leader for any species. The only thing I wanted was for Phineas to be able to tell us what he is, but now…”
He trails off, and a surge of affection and love for him swells within me. I know it’s because he’s actively using his mare magic, but I don’t care. I love him, and he can make me feel those emotions any time he damn well pleases. I welcome his enthrallment if that’s what he wants. His smile blows me away when he looks up at Felicity. He’s looking at her, but I’m not sure she deserves his light like this.
“Now?” she asks with far less animosity than she had before.
Gael huffs in amusement. “Now we can talk about whatever the fuck we want, and even if I have to take over the fucking world, I’m never going to let tradition shackle us like that again. Communication between the species is required in the information age. We have to be able to talk to each other, don’t you agree?”
Felicity takes a deep breath, but she concedes with a cautious nod. “Yes, I can see how that could be important.”
Gael smiles, and this time his smile is much more gentle, rippling with less magic than before. “Of course you do. Maybe you should join us for dinner. We’re celebrating move in day.”
Felicity taps Phineas, and he releases her. “Yes, I think that would be ok.”
Gael wraps an arm around my waist. “Fantastic. Sin is cooking tonight. I think he’s been marinating ribs for lettuce wraps.” He leans over and kisses my cheek in an obvious display of possessiveness.
I smile because I must. I can’t believe how easy it is to belong to Gael as his boyfriend, not just his best friend. I turn my face to him, and he smirks, pressing a kiss to my lips.
“Ah, uh,” Felicity stutters, and we both look at her as she glances at Phineas with wide eyes.
“You don’t like barbeque?” I ask, as if I’m confused about the source of her discomfort.
“No. I, um, like barbeque. Excuse me, I need to have a word with my brother, if you don’t mind.”
Gael waves his hand at the two of them. “Please, don’t let us stop you.”
We don’t move, of course, and we’re still standing in the entryway. The only way for her to find privacy is to pass us or leave.
She looks between us, and then turns to Phin, gesturing for him to open the front door.
Phineas doesn’t move. “Whatever you need to tell me, you can tell me here. I’m not stable enough right now to go outside. I might shift in the front yard, and I don’t have an oath stopping me from doing that right now.”
